By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Land Administration Project (SLLAP), the National Council of Paramount Chiefs and Civil Society Organisations have signed a partnership memorandum of understanding geared towards enhancing effective and efficient public engagement and education in the reformation process of the land sector in Sierra Leone,
On Monday, 5th June, 2023 Paramount Chiefs from the Eastern Region converged at the Kenema City Council to receive training on the new land management reforms in the country.
This medium reliably learnt that currently Regional Induction Trainings are being organized by the Sierra Leone Land Administration Project (SLLAP) ahead of the establishment and implementation of the Chiefdom and Village Area Land Committees to support the reform process.
While giving an overview of SLLAP, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Alphajor Cham, expressed appreciation to the Paramount Chiefs for their cooperation in the land management reform process, while commending the Hon. Minister of Lands, Dr. Turad Senesie, for providing sound, visionary and professional leadership.
He disclosed that the project aims to enhance and support effective and transparent land management system in the country, which includes legal and institutional reforms and support.
The Eastern Region Chairman of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs, PC David Keili-Coomber IV, who also doubles as the Chairman PC Select Committee on Land Reforms, praised the leadership role played by the Hon. Minister of Lands, which according to him, is responsible for the cooperation by the Paramount Chiefs.
He assured the nation that the current set of Paramount Chiefs will continue to support progressive reforms in the land sector.
Barrister Eleanor Thompson led the training and interactive sessions for the establishment of the chiefdom and village area land committees.
The Social and Gender Specialist, Madam Kadiatu Dumbuya, presented a paper on the grievance redress mechanism process, while the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Saiku Bah, presented on the reporting framework of the chiefdom and village area land committees.
A radio discussion program hosting the Eastern Region Chairman of the Paramount Chiefs, the Project Coordinator Dr. Alphajor Cham and the Commissioner General of the National Land Commission, Sheik Siddy Sowa was hosted in the evening hours at Starline Radio in Kenema.
The induction training was chaired by the Community Engagement and Communication Specialist, Abdul Karim Kabia.
It must be noted that the Sierra Leone Land Administration Project (SLLAP) successfully conducted the maiden induction training for Paramount Chiefs (PC) in the Southern Region as part of the regional trainings for PCs in respect of the establishment of Chiefdom and Village Area Land Committees.
The training for the Southern Region Paramount Chiefs took place on Friday June 2 2023 at the Bo District Council Hall.
Paramount Chiefs in the Region used the opportunity to renew their commitment towards the land reform process, while they commended what they described as the unique and professional leadership style of the Hon. Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie.
According to them, the respect the Minister has accorded the PCs was responsible for the success in the process that led to the enactment of the National Land Commission Act and the Customary Land Rights Act.
The Project Coordinator, Dr. Alphajor Cham welcomed the participants and explained the rationale, status and components of the land reform project.
Barrister Eleanor Thompson led an interactive presentation on the two new land lands while at the same time explaining the rationale and legal provisions for the establishment of the chiefdom and village area land committees.
The SLLAP Social and Gender Specialist, Madam Kadiatu Dumbuya made a presentation on the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) established to serve as a first step in arbitrating grievances emanating from project implementation.
The program was chaired and moderated by the Community Engagement and Communication Specialist, Abdul Karim Fonti Kabia.
